Storm Force 10
31 August 2016 | Plockton, Scotland
David and Andrea
A deep low in the Atlantic was heading toward Scotland so it was time to find a place to ride it out. Diomedea had a wonderful downwind sail (finally!) south across the Minch to the very small rocky island of Rona with a magnificent enclosed anchorage. The next morning we once more resumed the upwind thing to Plockton, just northeast of the Kyle of Lochalsh, Skye. We began to hear a lot of gale warnings and later storm warnings for our area.(Winds averaging 48-55kts, gusting into the 60’s, with Very High seas which means 9-14 metres!) We were able to hook up to a strong mooring in the relatively sheltered harbour so that when the 46 knots of air came through, our confidence was high. Vicious rain and wind squalls smacked us around but no drama. Finally the weather eased after 2 very wild nights and we cast off for the exciting passage under the bridge (29m clearance) in big current and wind. Then at pace down the kyles to spend a lovely evening at Ornsay island savouring the magnificent mountain grandeur of the region. A 55 nm day of outstanding sailing delivered us to yet another stunning anchorage, Loch Aline, south of Tobermory where we met up with Aussie sailing friends, Paula and Jim and their newly acquired Malo 46 “Freydis”. We had last met them in Ouvea, the French Loyalty islands near New Caledonia in 2008. The evening meal was sensational with locally sourced venison, then later chocolate cake. Yum.